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Nonprofit Overview

Mission: North Hills Community Outreach addresses the needs of people in crisis, hardship and poverty.

Results: In 2014-15 , $1,503,628 in direct assistance was provided to 4,099 families in poverty, hardship and crisis -- 86% of our expenses were direct services to those in need.
4,917 donors gave financial and in-kind gifts, and 1,538 volunteers gave 34,057 hours.

Target demographics: Everybody in northern Allegheny County can be a part of “People Helping People.” Low-income families, people experiencing disasters or other hardships, and frail elderly individuals can receive help. Adults and youth can help their neighbors in need by volunteering and/or donating funds and goods, such as food, winter coats, school supplies, etc.

Community Stories

187 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

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I have been volunteering at North Hills Community Outreach for 12 years! Before that when I was employed I donated money to the organization but now I donate time. I consider everyone there my friend - staff and volunteers alike. When I was 5 my Father was shot in a hunting accident. I can remember receiving services from organizations like NHCO way back then. Food, Christmas presents, Easter baskets, etc. Now I am able to participate in this great organization giving back to others what I myself have received. Volunteers at NHCO tend to stay for the long term! I am so proud to be a part of North Hills Community Outreach.

NHCO is truly a vital organization in our Community. The organization provides a diverse range of services, to impact so many in need. I am fortunate to be a volunteer and speaker for NHCO, and when taking the organization's message to events and groups, inevitably receive positive and enthusiastic interest, and meet many individuals who've benefited from the wide variety of services. NHCO exemplifies "help up not a hand out". I'm grateful to have NHCO serving the needs of our community.

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I am a frequent volunteer as an event participant and phone campaign caller for North Hills Community Outreach. My experiences brings me to appreciate the strong reputation NHCO has, and the important contributions NHCO makes on many levels in our Community. Inevitably, individuals I come in contact with at events or by phone express how they themselves or an acquaintance has directly benefited from NHCO services, either from the back to work services, Senior Services, the food pantry, coat drive, or the auto program. NHCO is a true, grass-roots organization, who's services have a real impact in areas of most pressing need - right here in our Community, every day.

I volunteer with NHCO on an irregular basis but hope to become a regular again soon. Over 30 years I have done volunteer work in various situations, including while posted in Barcelona. I can say unequivocally that NHCO has the most dedicated organization when it comes to utilizing volunteer workers. I always feel welcomed and appreciated. And I always feel that I am contributing, not just "adding to the COUNT" of volunteers.

I have been a volunteer at NHCO for many years, on and off, when my work schedule allows. I am drawn to this organization by the integrity, sincerity, compassion and kindness of those who work there every day to make our North Hills community a better place. They are very dedicated to help others in so many ways, whether it be to offer assistance financially, to help someone get food necessary for a family to survive, a warm coat in the winter time, a backpack for school children, or a shoulder to lean on at a tough time. I definitely have a better day after I leave there having only volunteered for a few hours. Can't imagine our community not having NHCO!!

I have been in community service all of my adult life. North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) Is hands down the absolute best organization with whom I have been associated. I volunteer in their Development Office....fund raising, meet and greet, and giving speeches..we serve the North Hills area of Pittsburgh, and we do an awesome job. It is truly a team approach, and there is NO distinction between paid staff and the volunteers, who number at 1300+. I thoroughly enjoy my time there, and always feel that my efforts are appreciated. We had a humble beginning in 1987 with less than a $65,000 budget, less than a handful of programs, and less than 25 volunteers. Today, we have a $2 Million+ budget, over 20 programs (six of which are United Way funded) and over 1300 volunteers! That's leadership and commitment to the good of our community. I am so proud to be associated with NHCO.

This is a great place to volunteer your time and talent. A great place for help for those in need. Staff and Volunteers take great pains to make it a welcoming place for those who come here for food and other assistance.I have been a volunteer for 2 years now and I still look forward to going there and doing my bit part to make a difference in this effort. Without NHCO, I sometimes wonder how many people will go hungry! Last year when I volunteered for food distribution for Thanksgiving, it was an eye opener to see who all comes for needed assistance. My experience was extremely gratifying.

HI, im homeless, i have been for almost 2 years now. me and my husband and my best friend. you would think with the three of us we would be able to get a place to live, but after one year, we were able to get a car. a good car. its cold out again. witch sucks.... Back to the tent boys summer is over.... one day when i grow up, im going to be just happy with what I have. almost 2 years of homelessness, still not holding up signs... still working still homeless. If I thought any one really cared, I guess I would of left my name. but it takes alot more then just a volunteer to get the heck out of the cold into a home... of what your ideal of a home is any way. Im just glad Im in america, people wast a lot of good stuff...

When I retired, I immediately signed up as a volunteer for NHCO. The work they do in the community is amazing – from an organic garden to supplement the food banks to reaching out to seniors – and is done with such compassion. The only agenda of both staff and volunteers is to help people get back on their feet. All clients are treated with dignity and encouragement and many have come by at events to say that NHCO made a positive difference in their lives.

I have been a volunteer for over 20 years and I have seen North Hills Community Outreach grow to an organization that is needed in the community and works very hard to fill that need. Their sole purpose is to continue to provide services of food, utilities, cars, gardening, school supplies, legal assistance, spring baskets, clothing, as well as directing those who need help to other agencies when we can't help them directly, and the list goes on. They are very special.

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I have been involved with NHCO for over 20 years. When I started there were only three employees working for the cause, Diane, current Director of Operations, being one of them. Now we have thirty and they all do such a great job. At each board meeting we learn of a new project to help those in need. All of the thirty employees and the many volunteers should be praised for all they do for those who have been helped by their efforts.

The entire team of volunteers and staff of NHCO are driven by the sole purpose of helping neighbors through difficult circumstances that life presents. The culture and efficiency of the organization is one that should be replicated by all non-profit organizations. I am proud to be associated with NHCO!

NHCO serves a critical role in the community by helping those in need and the community (volunteers and donors) play a critical role in supporting NHCO's efforts. We are so fortunate to have such services and support for those in need.

NHCO continues to serve people in need. This organization is limited only by the geographical boundaries and by the funding available. They use every possible means to meet the demands of food, shelter, jobs, legal aid, rides, and also school supplies, coats, spring baskets, thanksgiving meals, holiday toys and other gifts,etc. They network with other agencies to increase the scope of aid to those less fortunate.

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NHCO is the best in serving people in need. They have many, many programs to fill the variety of needs of people who come to them for assistance. They can serve so many because they use volunteers and donations from the community to keep their administration costs down.

NHCO helps many individuals and families in a myriad of ways. They strive to aid people from food and job resumes to financial planning and transportation needs, etc. On occasions when they cannot directly fill the need, they refer to other agencies. And they use volunteers in as many roles as possible to keep down the cost of administration and so that more dollars can be used for those in need. It truly is "People Helping People."

This is absolutely the best nonprofit organization i have ever helped. They know how to use volunteers with a great variety of volunteer opportunities. They accommodate every one with flexible hours and tasks. By using volunteers in many different ways and not hiring more staff, they are able to make their funds go farther to help those in need.

North Hills Community Outreach has been a lifesaver for many in the North Hills of Pittsburgh for decades. They feed and clothe the poor, collect school supplies for students every fall, and provide numerous services for the unemployed, the newly poor, and the disabled. No other non-profit in my area provides the superb services for so many as NHCO.

When I bought a new car two years ago, I gave them my old car. When my cell phones are replaced, they use cell phones for abused women's safety. When they have a food drive, I donate. When they sell citrus each winter to raise money, I purchase it. This organization is surely one of the best in the country.

I have volunteered at North Hills Community Outreach for many years & see all of the good things that are done with food as well as monetary donations. They are truly one of the best "reach out" to the communities non profits that are in the north hills section of Pittsburgh, Pa. Their caring nature of all of the employees as well as the commitment of volunteers is heart warming. I have seen first hand all of the great things that they do when a need is there such as having free bus transportation for those that
can't afford bus fees; their faith in action program that gives rides by volunteers for seniors that need transportation to Drs. offices; having counselors to help men/women to interview well so that they can get a job and be self-sufficient; their Community Auto program that takes vehicles as donations & makes sure that they are ready for the road and if not, have some work done on the vehicle & sell the vehicle for a reasonable price to a person that needs transportation to get to a job or take their child to a doctor appointment and there are other programs too numerous to mention.

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I am a volunteer at the Allison Park office for about a year and was amazed at the number of services offered by NHCO.
The staff and volunteers I work with are very dedicated and concerned about their clients.
I am so happy that I answered the call when volunteers were needed and look forward to the day of the week that I volunteer.
Recently I worked the coat shop and it was heartwarming to watch the faces of people coming in for winter clothing and the graciousness of everyone working there helping and assisting the clients. I left feeling happy that I agreed to work at that event.

As a volunteer, I see firsthand the dedication and compassion of everyone involved, either staff or the many volunteers. Clients are treated with respect and kindness as they receive help with utilities, housing, employment, food, specialized services to seniors, and assistance with computers, finances and legal issues.

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I have followed North Hills Community Outreach's growth since it started. I covered the floods in 1986 for a local newspaper and formation of NHCO in their wake. I was so impressed with its contributions to the community that I became a volunteer after I retired. You couldn't find more dedicated staff members and the many voluneers who carry out the organization's work.

NHCO is an excellent community community partner and well run organization. By relying on donations and volunteers, they are able to achieve great things with donated funds. Their commitment to creating a sustainable garden in order to provide healthy produce for their food pantries is just one fantastic example of the quality organization they are!

They are a great nonprofit and a great resource to those in need in the greater Pittsburgh region. A community garden that supplies fresh produce to their food pantry, community auto program, emergency assistance, ect. We need more nonprofits like North Hills Community Outreach.

What I love about NHCO, among other things, is that it helps people right in our own community who are struggling, often due to things out of their control, such as age or disability, or life interruptions that cause temporary needs (loss of job, accident, etc.). I try to support agencies with global impact but also love that NHCO is helping local folks who have lost their jobs, housing, etc. and need a helping hand. Whether through special projects, like Fall coats or Thanksgiving dinners or school supplies, or ongoing projects like utility assistance and the food pantries and employment resources, they do a fantastic job. I cannot speak more highly of NHCO!!